This book investigates the nature of religious experience in the earliest Christian communities. Luke Timothy Johnson, a scholar of early Christianity, examines key practices such as baptism, speaking in tongues, and communal meals to understand how these shaped the lived religious experiences of early Christians. He argues that these texts reflect lives defined by a power originating from the crucified and resurrected Jesus, moving beyond mere theological doctrine to explore the tangible aspects of faith and spiritual encounters.

The book is recognized for its insightful examination of the lived religious experiences of early Christians, moving beyond abstract theological concepts to explore tangible spiritual encounters. Johnson's approach, focusing on practices like baptism, speaking in tongues, and communal meals, offers a compelling perspective on how these rituals fostered a sense of divine power and community. The work is appreciated for its scholarly depth and its ability to illuminate the personal dimensions of faith in the nascent Christian movement. It provides a valuable resource for understanding the experiential aspects of early Christianity.